Sai Sudharsan or Devdutt Padikkal? Anil Kumble makes his choice for second IND vs SA test in Guwahati

Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal and Nitish Kumar Reddy will be in race to replace injured Shubman Gill for second test in Guwahati.

Former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble has weighed in on India’s selection dilemma for the crucial Guwahati test against South Africa. India lost the first test to South Africa in Kolkata by 30 runs.

It was a poor display of batting by the host team, as they made 189 in the first innings after Jasprit Bumrah’s fifer had dismissed South Africa for 159 runs. South Africa did well in the second innings, with Temba Bavuma scoring a half-century, setting India a target of 124 runs.

However, Simon Harmer added four wickets to his first-innings four-wicket haul as India got folded for 93 runs and lost the game by 30 runs. This was South Africa’s first test win in India since 2010, and they are 1-0 up in the series.

“If Gill isn’t fit…” – Anil Kumble chooses Shubman Gill’s replacement in India XI for the second test

Shubman Gill, who had been a pivotal presence at No. 4, sustained a neck injury on day one of the first test in Kolkata. While he has been discharged from the hospital, Shubman Gill remains under observation of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) medical team.

It is not clear whether Gill will play in the second test in Guwahati, as he didn’t take part in the remainder of the Kolkata test. With the second test looming and India trailing the series, team management faces a critical call between Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, both fresh faces in the test squad.

“If Gill isn’t fit, Sai Sudharsan should come in. Padikkal is an option, but with him the entire top order turns left-handed, which might play into South Africa’s hands, especially with Simon Harmer in the attack,” Kumble told media and experts while talking about India’s XI for the Guwahati Test.

Kumble’s remarks are based on subtle tactical considerations. In the Kolkata test, South Africa’s seasoned off-spinner Simon Harmer finished with impressive figures of eight wickets by taking advantage of left-handers.

“Harmer could bowl all day at a left-handed top order,” cautioned Kumble. “Sudharsan can anchor the innings, and with Harmer’s effectiveness, having a right-hander in the mix is crucial for balance,” he added.

India’s defeat in Kolkata saw them slip to fourth in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 table, intensifying the stakes for the second test. South Africa have a chance to create history; if they win the second test against India, this will be their first test series in India win since 2000.

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